Girdle



March 28, 1950 H. M. HERBENER 2,501,901

rams Filed latch 18, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

' l/1: HENRY M. HERBENER I B1 Wu:

A OQNEY March 28, 1950 H. M. HERBENER GIRDLE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 18, 1948 JNVENTOR.

Patented Mar. 28, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Application March 18, No. 15,539

1 4 Claims.

My invention relates to apparel and has particular reference to elastic girdles.

An important object of the invention is to pro vide an elastic girdle to be worn by women, having means to retain the top portion of the garment raised, which means includes rib receiving pockets formed integral with the girdle, as distinguished from a separate band provided with such pockets and attached to the top of the girdle.

A further object of the invention is to provide a girdle of the above mentioned character'having a folded edge at the top of the garment, rendering the garment more attractive in appearance and comfortable in use.

A further object of the invention is to provide means for securing the folded over edge of the girdle to the ribs, so that the ribs cannot be uncovered in the use of the garment. 1

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following description: 7

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an elastic girdle embodying my invention,

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevation of the front of the girdle,

Figure 3 is a vertical section taken on line 3-3 of Figure 2,

Figure 4 is a horizontal section taken on line l4 of Figure 2,

Figure 5 is an enlarged vertical section taken on line 5-5 of Figure 2, showing the extension folded over,

Figure 5 is a similar view, the extension being in the open position,

Figure 6 is a horizontal section, upon an enlarged scale, taken on line 6-6 of Figure 2,

Figure 7 is a similar view taken on line 'I-I of Figure 2,

Figure 8 is a perspective view of a girdle embodying a modification of the invention,

Figure 8a shows a view of the rib employed,

Figure 9 is a front elevation of the same, upon an enlarged scale, parts broken away, and parts in section,

Figure 10 is a vertical section taken on line Ill-I 0 of Figure 9, I

Figure 11 is a horizontal section taken on line II-llofFigure 9,

Figure 12 is a fragmentary front elevation of a girdle embodying a further modification of the invention, parts broken away, and upon an enlarged scale,

Figure 13 is a vertical section-taken on line I3--I3 of Figure 12,

Fi ure 14 is a fragmentary side elevation of the girdle showing the manner of securing the folded over extension to the rib, and

Figure 15 is a vertical section taken on line IS-IS of Figure 14.

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration are shown preferred embodiments of my invention, attention being called first to Figures 1 to '7 inclusive, the numeral III designates the body portion of an elastic girdle having a 2-way vertical and horizontal stretch. This body portion is tubular and conforms to the curvature of the figure and may be woven or knit. At its top, the body portion I 0 has an annular extension II formed integral therewith, and this extension has one half the thickness of the body portion III. The extension II is folded outwardly and downwardly upon itself, producing inner and outer annular layers I2 and I3, Figures 5 and 6. The layers I2 and i3 are stitched together adjacent to the lower edge of the layer I3, by horizontal lines of stitching I4, each terminatifig at points I5. The group of lines of stitching I4 may extend around the entire circumference of the girdle. The layers I2 and I3 form a band, at the top of the body portion I0, and the layer I2 is integral with the body portion I0, and the folded layers produce a rounded or folded edge I5, which is neat in appearance and promotes the convenience or comfort of the user. This band embodying the layers I2 and I3 also has a 2-way vertical and horizontal stretch. The layers I2 and I3 are further secured together by spaced pairs of vertical lines of stitching I 6, extending'from the ends I 5 to substantially the top of the layers I2 and I3, forming pockets Il, Figure 6. These pockets may extend entirely around the circumference of the girdle,-

as shown. The tops of these pockets I I are closed by the folded portion I5 while their bottoms are open. The pockets I1 are preferably equidistantly spaced and are arranged in vertical alignment with vertical pockets 20 formed integral with the body portion I0, and the pockets 20 are woven or knit therein, depending upon whether the body portion I0 is woven or knit,

and theextension II being integral with the body portion It would be woven or knit depending upon the construction of the body portion It. The pockets ZII are closed at their bottoms and ribsubstantially engages the folded portion I! of the layers l2 and II.

The ribs 2| are inserted in the pockets 20 when the extension projects upwardly and has not been folded. Hence the ribs project beyond the top of the pockets 20. Extension II is then folded upon itself and the layers l2 and I3 are disposed upon opposite sides of the upper portions of the ribs 2|. The stitching l4 and I6 is then made, securing the parts together and forming the pockets H. An advantage in the construction is that the pockets 20 are formed integral with the body portion l0, thus eliminating the use of a separate band having pockets formed integral therewith, as shown in my Patent 2,136,742. A further advantage is that the extension H is folded over, to provide the upper pockets, and

provides the folded or round edge IS. The extension being formed in half the thickness of th! body portion I0, when the extension is folded to provide the two layers l2 and I3 at the top of the garment, the garment does not have its thickness increased at its top.

The outer layer I3 is stitched to the body portion ID by the lines of stitching l4, between the pockets II, but the outer layer is not stitched to the body portion I0, at each pocket between the points l5. Since the outer layer is thinner than the body portion l0, its elasticity is increased, and the pocket I! may have its outer side stretched laterally and upwardly sufliciently for the removal of the rib 2|, if desired. It may not be desired to remove the rib 2 and I contemplate anchoring the top of the rib within the pocket I1, and this may be effected by providing the rib 2| at its top with an aperture 22, receiving a loop or stitching 23, passing through the aperture and the layers 12 and I3. I also contemplate securing one or both layers I2 and lit to the rib 2| by cement.

In view of the foregoing description, it is obvious that an annular group of stiffening ribs 2| is provided at the top of the body portion l0, preventing such top from rolling and retaining the same raised. These ribs are preferably relatively short, such as about two inches, and do not interfere with the elasticity of the major portion of the girdle.

In Figures 8 and 9, I have shown a modification of the invention. In this form of the invention, I provide two long ribs 2| at the. front .of the garment, adjacent to its top. These ribs are held within pockets 20', corresponding to the pockets 20, but longer. The ribs 2| may be from four to eight inches long. All other parts of the girdle remain identical with those shown and described in connection with the first form of the invention, it being understood that the long ribs 2| are substituted for the two front short ribs 2|, while the same ribs 2| extend for the remainder of the circumference of the garment. pockets 'l and stitching are employed.

In Figures 12 and 13 a further modification of the invention is shown. In this figure, several The same upper pocket is formed integral with the body portion II, by weaving or knitting, asthe case may be. The pocket 2|! receives a resilient hoop 24. The same extension H is provided and is folded over to provide the layers l2 and II, and the other layer II is held in the closed position by snap fasteners 25, connecting the layer II with the layer I2. The short ribs 2| and their pocket may extend throughout the remainder of the circumference of the garment.

The hoop 24 will retain the top of the body portion III at the front of the garment raised. The snap fasteners willpermit of the removal of the hoop for laundering purposes. All other parts of the garment are made identical with those shown and described in connection with the first form of the invention.

It is to be understood that the forms of my invention herewithshown and described are to be taken as preferred examples of the same and that various changes in the shape, size, and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of my invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A girdle comprising an elastic body portion provided adjacentnto its top spaced upstanding pockets formed integral therewith and having their upper ends open, ribs held within the pockets and projecting above the open ends of the pockets, an extension formed integral with the body portion adjacent to the open ends of the pockets and adapted to extend upwardly beyond the pockets and having a free edge, the extension being folded substantially horizontally upon itself for providing opposed layers disposed upon opposite sides of the ribs and a continuous folded edge at the upper ends of the ribs to cover such upper ends, the extension being considerably thinner than the body portion for providing a shoulder, the free end of the extension being arranged to substantially abut with the shoulder, pairs of spaced upstanding lines of stitching connecting the layers adjacent to the pockets for forming pocket sections for receiving the ends of the ribs extending beyond the pockets, and generally horizontal lines of stitching disposed between the pocket sections and connecting the layers adjacent to the shoulder and free edge, the lower ends of the pocket sections being open at one side.

2. A girdle comprising an elastic body portionprovided, with laterally spaced upstanding main pockets formed integral therewith, the upper ends of the main pockets being open and such open ends being disposed adjacent to the top of the body portion, ribs held within the upstanding main pockets and being longer than the upstanding main pockets and projecting outwardly above the open ends of such pockets, a horizontally elongated elastic extension permanently secured throughout substantially its entire length to the top of the elastic body portion and having a greater width than the end portions of the ribs which project upwardly beyond the pockets, the

elongated extension being folded longitudinally upon itself to provide opposed layers arranged of the short ribs 2| and the pockets 20 andv upon opposite sides of the upper end portions of the ribs, the folded extension providing a continuous folded edge covering the upper ends of the ribs, and stitching connectingthe layers of the extension and forming pocket sections arranged adjacent to the main pockets of the body portion, the pocket sections having their lower ends open for receiving the upper. end portions of the ribs and the corresponding sides of the main pockets and the pocket sections being elastic.

3. A girdle, comprising a fabric elastic body portion provided with laterally spaced upstanding main pockets formed intergral therewith, the upper ends of the main pockets being open and such open ends being disposed adjacent to the top of the body portion, ribs held within the upstanding main pockets and being longer than such main pockets and projecting upwardly above the open ends of such main pockets, a horizontally elongated fabric elastic'extension formed at its bottom and throughout the major portion of its length integral with the top of the elastic body portion and having a greater width than the end portions of the ribs which project upwardly beyond the pockets, the elongated fabric extension being folded longitudinally upon itself to provide opposed layers arranged upon opposite sides of the upper end portions of the ribs, the folded extension providing a continuous folded edge covering the upper ends of the ribs, and stitching connecting the opposed layers of the extension adjacent to the edges of the main pockets for forming pocket sections in substantial alignment with the main pockets, the pocket sections having their lower ends open for receiving the upper end portions of the ribs and corresponding sides of the main pockets and pocket sections being elastic.

4. A girdle, comprising a fabric elastic body portion provided with laterally spaced upstanding main pockets formed integral therewith, the upper ends of the main pockets being open and such open ends being disposed adjacent to the top of the body portion, ribs held within the upstanding main pockets and being longer than such pockets and projecting upwardly above the open ends of such pockets, a horizontally elongated fabric elastic extension formed integral throughout the major portion of its length with the top of the elastic body portion and having a greater width than the end portions of the ribs which project upwardly beyond the pockets, the elongated fabric extension being folded longitudinally upon itself to provide opposed layers arranged upon opposite sides of the upper end portions of the ribs, the folded extension providing a continuous folded edge covering the upper ends of the ribs, and meanssecuring the opposed layers together and forming pocket sections having their lower ends open to receive the upper end portions of the ribs, corresponding sides of the main pockets and pocket sections being elastic.

HENRY M. HERBENER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Hendley Nov. 3, 1942 

